History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
Kunzendorf Heights, which are not of the Hills, but in front of them,
with a strip of flat still intervening;--these, we said, Daun had at
once quitted: and these are now Friedrich's;--but yield him a very
complex prospect at present. A line of opposing Heights, Burkersdorf,
Ludwigsdorf, Leuthmannsdorf, bristling with abundant cannon; behind is
the multiplex sea of Hills, rising higher and higher, to the ridge of
the Eulenberg in Glatz Country 10 or 12 miles southward: Daun, with
forces much superior, calmly lord of all that; infinitely needing to be
ousted, could one but say how! Friedrich begins to perceive that Braunau
will not do; that he must contrive some other plan. General Wied he
still leaves to prosecute the Braunau scheme: perhaps there is still
some chance in it; at lowest it will keep Daun's attention thitherward.
And Wied perseveres upon Braunau; and Braunau proving impossible, pushes
past it deeper into Bohemia, Daun loftily regardless of him. Wied's
marches and attempts were of approved quality; though unsuccessful in
the way of stirring Daun. Wied's Light troops went scouring almost as
far as Prag,--especially a 500 Cossacks that were with him, following
their old fashion, in a new Country. To the horror of Austria; who
shrieked loudly, feeling them in her own bowels; though so quiet while
they were in other people's on her score. This of the 500 Cossacks under
Wied, if this were anything, was all of actual work that Friedrich had
from his Czernichef Allies;--nothing more of real or actual while
they stayed, though something of imaginary or ostensible which had its
importance, as we shall see.
Friedrich, in the third week, recalls Wied: "Braunau clearly impossible;
only let us still keep up appearances!" July 18th, Wied is in Kunzendorf
Country again; on an important new enterprise, or method with the Daun
Problem, in which Wied is to bear a principal hand. That is to say, The
discomfiture and overturn of Daun's right wing, if we can,--since
his left has proved impossible. This was the STORMING OF BURKERSDORF
HEIGHTS; Friedrich's new plan. Which did prove successful, and is still
famous in the Annals of War: reckoned by all judges a beautiful plan,
beautifully executed, and once more a wonderful achieving of what seemed
the impossible, when it had become the indispensable. One of Friedrich's
prettiest feats; and the last of his notable performances in this War.
Readers ought not to be left without some shadowy authentic notion of
it; though the real portraiture or image (which is achievable too, after
long study) is for the professional soldier only,--for whom TEMPELHOF,
good maps and plenty of patience are the recipe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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